Greta Jimenez
The Clean Air Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six common air pollutants known as criteria air pollutants. These criteria air pollutants include particle pollution, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead. Despite improvements in outdoor air quality since the 1990s, these pollutants continue to pose significant health risks to Americans, with millions living in counties with unhealthy air quality. Among these, particle pollution and ground-level ozone are the most widespread health threats, affecting people with asthma, children, older adults, and those who are active outdoors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of pollutants | 6 |
| Pollutants | Particle pollution, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, lead |
| Most widespread health threats | Particle pollution, ground-level ozone |
| Health effects of particle pollution | Affects lungs and heart, linked to premature death in people with heart or lung disease, nonfatal heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, increased respiratory symptoms |
| Health effects of ground-level ozone | Triggers chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, airway inflammation, reduces lung function, harms lung tissue, worsens bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma |
| Health effects of nitrogen dioxide | Irritates airways, aggravates asthma, increases susceptibility to respiratory infections |
| Health effects of lead | Adversely affects the nervous system, kidney function, immune system, reproductive and developmental systems, cardiovascular system, oxygen-carrying capacity of blood |
| Change in emissions of air toxics from 1990 to 2017 | -74% |
| Change in combined emissions of criteria and precursor pollutants since 1970 | -78% |
| Change in national air quality concentration averages for criteria air pollutants from 1990 to 2021 | Decline |
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What You'll Learn
Ground-level ozone harms health and the environment
Ground-level ozone is a harmful air pollutant that affects both human health and the environment. It is formed by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the presence of sunlight. This occurs when pollutants from cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, and chemical plants are exposed to sunlight. While stratospheric ozone protects living things from ultraviolet radiation from the sun, ground-level ozone is harmful when inhaled and can trigger a variety of health problems.
Ground-level ozone is the main ingredient in smog and is most likely to reach unhealthy levels on hot, sunny days in urban areas. However, it can also be transported by wind, affecting rural areas as well. People with asthma, children, older adults, and those who are active outdoors are particularly vulnerable to the effects of ground-level ozone. Even relatively low levels of exposure can cause coughing, shortness of breath, and irritation and damage to airways.
Long-term exposure to ground-level ozone has been linked to more severe health issues, especially for those with lung diseases. It can lead to increased medication use, doctor visits, and hospital admissions. Studies have also found associations between elevated ozone levels and deaths from respiratory causes. The inflammation caused by ozone exposure has been compared to sunburn, but instead affects the airway lining.
In addition to its impacts on human health, ground-level ozone also affects the environment. Elevated ozone levels can harm sensitive vegetation during the growing season and have negative effects on ecosystems, including forests, parks, and wildlife refuges. Overall, ground-level ozone is a significant pollutant that poses risks to both human well-being and the natural world.
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Particle pollution can cause lung and heart issues
Particle pollution, also known as particulate matter or soot, is a mix of tiny solid and liquid particles in the air we breathe. These particles are so small that they can bypass our body's natural defences, making their way deep into the lungs and even entering the bloodstream. This can have harmful effects on the lungs, heart, brain, and other organs.
Particle pollution has been linked to a variety of respiratory issues, including coughing, phlegm, wheeze, inflammation of the airways and lungs, bronchial hyperreactivity, acute phase reaction, respiratory infections, and decreased lung function growth in children. It can also trigger asthma development and cause premature mortality in people with chronic lung disease.
The size of the particles plays a crucial role in their potential for causing health problems. Particles less than 10 micrometres in diameter, referred to as PM10, pose the greatest risk. These fine particles can easily penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, affecting both the lungs and the heart.
Short-term acute exposure to high levels of particle pollution can lead to cardiovascular events, hospitalisations, and even mortality. Long-term chronic exposure to low levels of particle pollution can increase the risk of strokes, coronary heart disease, and also cause premature deaths. People with pre-existing heart or lung disease, children, older adults, and individuals from minority and low socioeconomic status populations are particularly vulnerable to the effects of particle pollution.
Overall, particle pollution is a significant health concern, impacting a large number of Americans and contributing to a range of lung and heart issues. It is important to monitor air quality and take measures to reduce exposure to particle pollution, especially for vulnerable individuals.
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Carbon monoxide levels have improved
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a harmful, colorless, and odorless gas that results from the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels, such as natural gas, gasoline, or wood. It is emitted by various combustion sources, including motor vehicles, power plants, wildfires, and incinerators. Despite the progress made in reducing air pollution over the last few decades, carbon monoxide continues to impact the health of Americans.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), carbon monoxide levels in the United States have improved over the years due to the implementation of the Clean Air Act and technological advancements. Since 1970, the combined emissions of criteria and precursor pollutants, including carbon monoxide, have dropped by 78%. This has resulted in improved air quality across the nation.
One of the primary reasons for the decline in carbon monoxide levels is the implementation of the Clean Air Act, which requires the EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for specific pollutants, including carbon monoxide. These standards aim to protect human health and the environment by regulating the levels of air pollutants. The EPA has been working closely with state, tribal, and local air agencies to attain and maintain these standards across the country.
Additionally, federal and state regulations on stationary and mobile sources, as well as technological innovations, have contributed significantly to the reduction of carbon monoxide emissions. For example, the implementation of stricter emission controls on vehicles and the development of cleaner energy sources have helped reduce the amount of carbon monoxide released into the atmosphere.
Furthermore, public awareness and education about the dangers of carbon monoxide have played a crucial role in mitigating its impact. Many states and communities have implemented carbon monoxide detection and prevention programs, especially in indoor spaces, where CO levels can be significantly higher than outdoors. These programs include the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in homes, schools, and public buildings, as well as public information campaigns about the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and how to prevent it.
While carbon monoxide levels have shown improvement, it is important to remain vigilant as carbon monoxide can have severe health effects. Carbon monoxide is harmful as it binds to hemoglobin in the blood, reducing the blood's ability to carry oxygen, which in turn interferes with oxygen delivery to the body's organs. The most common effects of CO exposure include fatigue, headaches, confusion, and dizziness. Prolonged exposure or exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can lead to more severe health issues, including brain injuries and cognitive, physical, and behavioral symptoms.
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Nitrogen oxides cause respiratory issues
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are a group of highly reactive gases that includes nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrous acid, and nitric acid. NOx gases are primarily released into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, methane gas, and diesel at high temperatures. The largest sources of NO2 emissions are trucks, buses, and cars, followed by non-road equipment, industrial processes, and power plants.
Nitrogen oxides are a major air pollutant and have harmful effects on human health, particularly the respiratory system. Breathing air with high concentrations of NO2 can irritate the airways and aggravate respiratory diseases, especially asthma. This can lead to coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing, and may require hospital admissions or emergency room visits. Prolonged exposure to elevated levels of NO2 may even contribute to the development of asthma and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. Scientific evidence suggests that exposure to NO2 could be a cause of asthma in children.
In addition to the direct impacts on respiratory health, NOx gases can react with other chemicals in the air to form particulate matter and ozone, both of which are harmful when inhaled and can further exacerbate respiratory issues. NOx gases also contribute to the formation of acid rain, which harms sensitive ecosystems such as lakes and forests.
Despite improvements in air quality over the years due to the Clean Air Act and technological advancements, nitrogen oxide emissions remain a concern. As of 2020, human-made sources in the US emitted 7.64 million short tons of nitrogen oxides annually, and many people still breathe in unhealthy levels of NO2 pollution, particularly in large urban regions and areas near heavily traveled roadways. However, with continued cleanup efforts and the implementation of emission reduction rules, there is a positive outlook for further reducing nitrogen oxide pollution and mitigating its impacts on human health and the environment.
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Lead is a heavy metal with adverse health effects
Lead is a naturally occurring toxic heavy metal found in the Earth's crust. Its widespread use has caused extensive environmental contamination, human exposure, and significant public health problems worldwide. Lead is a pollutant that impacts a large number of Americans. It is one of the six "criteria air pollutants" that are found all over the United States and can harm human health and the environment.
Sources of environmental contamination include mining, smelting, manufacturing, and recycling activities, as well as the use of lead in a range of products. Lead was once used in paint and gasoline and is still present in older buildings through lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust, which are common sources of lead poisoning in children. Other sources of lead exposure include contaminated air, water, and soil. Lead can contaminate drinking water through plumbing systems containing lead pipes, solders, and fittings. Lead is also still used in batteries, solder, pipes, pottery, roofing materials, and some cosmetics.
Young children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of lead and can suffer permanent adverse health impacts, especially on the development of the central nervous system. Even small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems, including reduced intelligence quotient (IQ), behavioural changes, and reduced educational attainment. At very high levels, lead poisoning can cause coma, convulsions, and even death. Lead exposure has also been linked to cardiovascular effects, anaemia, hypertension, renal impairment, immunotoxicity, and toxicity to the reproductive organs.
There is no known safe level of lead exposure, and the harmful health impacts of lead exposure are entirely preventable. It is important to take precautions to limit exposure to lead and to regularly maintain homes to prevent lead poisoning, especially in children.
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Frequently asked questions
Criteria pollutants are a group of six common air pollutants that are found all over the United States. They are harmful to human health, the environment, and can cause property damage.
The six criteria pollutants are particulate matter (or particle pollution), ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead.
Of the six criteria pollutants, particle pollution and ground-level ozone are the most widespread health threats.
Particulate matter (PM) refers to inhalable particles composed of hundreds of different chemicals. Some examples include dust, dirt, soot, and smoke. PM can be emitted directly from construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks, or fires.
Ground-level ozone is a harmful air pollutant and the main ingredient in "smog". Breathing ozone can trigger a variety of health problems, including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and airway inflammation. It can also reduce lung function, harm lung tissue, and worsen respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma.
